All it takes is one second of distraction, whether by you, another motorist, or even a cyclist or pedestrian. Distractions can result in a simple fender bender or something more serious. Hopefully you’ll never have to experience a vehicle accident, either as a driver or a passenger. If you have been in a car crash, you know how stressful it can be.

After getting over the original shock, it’s time to assess the situation. If the accident happened on the highway or other busy streets, there can be a lot of tension in the air. Just calm down as best you can and follow a few steps to make sure everyone is safe and the scene is secure.

What to do Immediately After the Accident: Safety First

The first thing you should do is make sure everyone is okay and the vehicles involved are moved to safety (if possible). If the cars can’t be moved, make sure to use flares or orange reflective triangles to warn other motorists.

If there is an injury, or someone is trapped in a car, call 911 immediately. Make sure to give the right location in case others call it in. It may not be safe to approach either car at this point. Once you call the police and medical treatment has been administered – if needed – now is the time to exchange contact information.

Exchange Information

Tensions can be running high at this point, even if the damage is minor to either car. When asking for phone numbers or insurance information, try to do so in a calm matter. There’s no reason to escalate the situation.

If the police were called, it’s important to get their information for access to the police report. This will be important because as stressful as the accident was, it can get a lot more intense when the insurance companies get involved. Then notify your insurance company about the situation.

Don’t Forget About Yourself

During the chaos of the accident and trying to figure out who is at fault and filing insurance claims, you may forget to take a moment and see how you’re feeling. You may not have mentioned any pain in the accident report or declined medical care at the scene because you felt fine.

After the adrenaline has subsided, are you noticing in pain in your back? Is it hard to move your neck? Are your joints a little more stiff? In addition to any property damage caused by the wreck, there could be medical bills, pain and suffering, and personal injury attorney fees if it gets that far.

That could take months or even years to sort out! You certainly don’t want to wait that long to see a medical professional about the pain you are now experiencing. Schedule an appointment to see your doctor or a licensed chiropractor so they can examine you for any short- or long-term injuries.

Let Dr. Ibolit Help!

At Dr. Ibolit, our main concern is removing pain from your body and getting you back to normal. While we don’t offer any legal advice, we do keep detailed notes of your visits and we communicate with your insurance company or law firm to make sure your bills are taken care of without any headache for you.

What our clinic does offer is free chiropractic and physical therapy consultations. Your health is our primary concern and receiving treatment as soon as possible after an accident will make a huge difference in your recovery. If you’d like, we will also communicate with your insurance company after this initial consultation to give them a better idea of your condition. Massage therapy is another service that we provide, giving our patients a well-rounded health care experience.

Have you been in an accident and starting to feel the effects? Contact Dr. Ibolit today. Our experienced chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, cutting-edge technology, and proven techniques will help pinpoint your problem and offer quick relief. Let the insurance companies battle it out while we take care of you. Drive safe!